CHICAGO | Boom rundown - everything over 12 floors. v5 - Page 430

harryc · #**8581** Posted **Aug 22, 2008, 11:28 AM**

Aug 20

Getting ready

Belling bits - no signs of rock grinders or associated equipment.

Aug 21

Gotta have just the right size on hand

Safety first

The drill

Holes w Rebar
one w caisson top

onw without caisson top

300 N LaSalle provides a nice backdrop

jcchii · #**8582** Posted **Aug 22, 2008, 11:31 AM**

good news on the wabash building.
that would mean that the two of the ugliest sites visible from the L around the Loop would be spoken for - that one and 200 w lake, where a garage was just torn down.

as for Staybridge, what a complete disaster.
and right now it's a complete eyesore. if the developer plans to leave it that way for years, they should be sued and forced to demolish it.

honte · #**8583** Posted **Aug 22, 2008, 12:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by denizen467

Unfortunately the junky garage on the NE corner of Wabash/Randolph is unaffected by this. But that just means it remains ripe for some kind of tall luxury tower redevelopment someday down the road.

It's kind of strange that this gets right up to Smurfit-Stone's height, and then doesn't bother to exceed it. Units higher than that could offer unbelievable views of Grant Park - what a waste.

Agreed on all points. I think anything residential in this part of town less than 50 stories is missing the boat, but hey, it's a good infill tower so I can't complain too much. I still think the site at Randolph will yield something very special... it's just a perfect site, with great views, etc. I placed my bet on the "Pandemonious mystery 1000'er" being built here a long time ago, and I've now doubled my wager. If anything, the shorter tower they build now will help to make this prospect even more tempting.

SolarWind · #**8584** Posted **Aug 22, 2008, 12:15 PM**

Great shots, harryc!

jpIllInoIs · #**8585** Posted **Aug 22, 2008, 1:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nowhereman1280

Great news everyone! I just drove by the old NBC(?) place over on McClurg and there is a soil testing rig in the parking lane on the street!

that was the CBS hq, NBC used to be in the Merch Mart.

ChiPsy · #**8586** Posted **Aug 22, 2008, 1:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nowhereman1280

Great news everyone! I just drove by the old NBC(?) place over on McClurg and there is a soil testing rig in the parking lane on the street! There are holes drilled in the street around the building which seems to suggest they may be getting ready to move quickly on the 630 N. McClurg towers. I suspect they are trying to fast track it because they are drilling now instead of waiting for the structure to be torn down.

Great news, NWM -- thanks for the update. It's CBS's old site you're talking about, btw, a surprising eyesore for that neighborhood. Bring on the towers!

the urban politician · #**8587** Posted **Aug 22, 2008, 2:24 PM**

Ahh, so much activity

For a brief moment today, it feels like 2006..

BVictor1 · #**8588** Posted **Aug 22, 2008, 2:28 PM**

Thanks Harry for the update on 161 W. Kinzie

honte · #**8589** Posted **Aug 22, 2008, 2:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiPsy

Great news, NWM -- thanks for the update. It's CBS's old site you're talking about, btw, a surprising eyesore for that neighborhood. Bring on the towers!

It's actually a fairly interesting building with an interesting past... and designed by a great architect. But it's been let go, and clearly the towers are a big improvement.

___

Anyone else concerned about the trio of similar-looking SCB towers we have coming along the elevated downtown? Seems like they have the Loop cornered with apartments at this moment - the one on Wabash, the one at Lake / Wells, and the one at Wells / Washington. As usual, I wish they weren't so similar architecturally.

the urban politician · #**8590** Posted **Aug 22, 2008, 2:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by honte

Anyone else concerned about the trio of similar-looking SCB towers we have coming along the elevated downtown? Seems like they have the Loop cornered with apartments at this moment - the one on Wabash, the one at Lake / Wells, and the one at Wells / Washington. As usual, I wish they weren't so similar architecturally.

^ It's a matching game:

You wear a green tie to match your green socks, and a yellow shirt to match your yellow hat. It's all about being well put together. Good for downtown!

aaron38 · #**8591** Posted **Aug 22, 2008, 2:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by spyguy

171 N Wabash

I estimate 480 ft, which is fine considering market conditions. And I love this render. The black and white looks really classy, like a tuxedo. And the streetwall is exactly what we need all over the city. It's perfect infil.

I wonder if they will landscape Benton Pl, maybe turn it into a plaza? Or will it just be a driveway?

BVictor1 · #**8592** Posted **Aug 22, 2008, 2:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by honte

It's actually a fairly interesting building with an interesting past... and designed by a great architect. But it's been let go, and clearly the towers are a big improvement.

___

Anyone else concerned about the trio of similar-looking SCB towers we have coming along the elevated downtown? Seems like they have the Loop cornered with apartments at this moment - the one on Wabash, the one at Lake / Wells, and the one at Wells / Washington. As usual, I wish they weren't so similar architecturally.

Do you have any historical photos of this structure? The only thing special about it is that it was the site of the first televised presidential debate.

As for the SCB designs. The designs are somewhat repetitive, which has been somewhat of a concern/annoyance in the past, but I think that the building are spaced far enough apart to not be too much of an issue. But some now tallent pencil pusher at the firm would be appreciated.

Alliance · #**8593** Posted **Aug 22, 2008, 2:43 PM**

Hehe. It does feel a bit like '06.

Quote:

Originally Posted by honte

Anyone else concerned about the trio of similar-looking SCB towers we have coming along the elevated downtown? Seems like they have the Loop cornered with apartments at this moment - the one on Wabash, the one at Lake / Wells, and the one at Wells / Washington. As usual, I wish they weren't so similar architecturally.

Yes, but...

You know there are a lot of Mies towers sprinkled throughout downtown and I KNOW ITS NOT AN EXACT COMPARISION because people want Mies towers...but multiple towers by the same architect can really develop a specific character. Yes they are similar, but 1. Designs are progressively increasing in their quality and 2. increasing in thier variety. They strucutre balconies the same way, but the claddings are diverging as well. And hell, I'd rather have SCB doing this than LaGrange which is infecting the city in its own disgusting way. Course there are better firms too...

I'm rather neutral to the concept. Its dangerous, but as long as thier designs continue to improve, I'm fine with it. I didn't hear too much complaining about Conservatory Tower...

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaron38

I estimate 480 ft, which is fine considering market conditions. And I love this render. The black and white looks really classy, like a tuxedo. And the streetwall is exactly what we need all over the city. It's perfect infil.

Thats not black, its green. Think 340. But I agree BLACK glass needs a comeback.

wrab · #**8594** Posted **Aug 22, 2008, 3:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by honte

.....Anyone else concerned about the trio of similar-looking SCB towers we have coming along the elevated downtown? Seems like they have the Loop cornered with apartments at this moment - the one on Wabash, the one at Lake / Wells, and the one at Wells / Washington. As usual, I wish they weren't so similar architecturally.

I'm just perplexed as to how SCB keeps getting all of these projects. Who's the charmer over there?

Pandemonious · #**8595** Posted **Aug 22, 2008, 3:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by honte

Agreed on all points. I think anything residential in this part of town less than 50 stories is missing the boat, but hey, it's a good infill tower so I can't complain too much. I still think the site at Randolph will yield something very special... it's just a perfect site, with great views, etc. I placed my bet on the "Pandemonious mystery 1000'er" being built here a long time ago, and I've now doubled my wager. If anything, the shorter tower they build now will help to make this prospect even more tempting.

Thats not the site. I still have no additional information unfortunately. The proposal may sit idle until the market improves, unfortunately. It involves demolishing a functioning building...

Mojava · #**8596** Posted **Aug 22, 2008, 4:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrabbit

I'm just perplexed as to how SCB keeps getting all of these projects. Who's the charmer over there?

Love them or hate them, so many of their recent projects have been extremely successful to the developer/ownership. Heritage, 340 OTP, Legacy, The Streeter, just to name a few...Plus the potential of MO ever getting built has to help getting new hotel projects as well (Mondrian, M Hotel, and the one on Fairbanks)

honte · #**8597** Posted **Aug 22, 2008, 5:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BVictor1

Do you have any historical photos of this structure? The only thing special about it is that it was the site of the first televised presidential debate.

Yes, I do. I'll see if I can dig them up.

I love how you like to claim that there is only one possible thing important or special about a building before you've done research on it (note my sig, btw).

In any case, it was used as a stable and is one of the last aspects of this area that suggests Streeterville's old past. No matter, I already said in my opinion that it's a good trade considering the (apparent) quality of what they plan to build there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pandemonious

Thats not the site. I still have no additional information unfortunately.

Ah, darn. Just when I up the ante, I lose it all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pandemonious

It involves demolishing a functioning building...

Uh oh... doesn't sound promising.

BVictor1 · #**8598** Posted **Aug 22, 2008, 5:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by honte

Yes, I do. I'll see if I can dig them up.

I love how you like to claim that there is only one possible thing important or special about a building before you've done research on it (note my sig, btw).

In any case, it was used as a stable and is one of the last aspects of this area that suggests Streeterville's old past. No matter, I already said in my opinion that it's a good trade considering the (apparent) quality of what they plan to build there.

Ah, darn. Just when I up the ante, I lose it all.

Uh oh... doesn't sound promising.

Yes, I know it was a stable.

There's no need for me to do research, because I have folk like you to do it for me, and if the history were special enough, there would be landmark consideration for the structure.

ANYWAY... yes, it's a good trade off.

emathias · #**8599** Posted **Aug 22, 2008, 5:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcu

Aren't cranes leased? I doubt the developer had anything to do with this directly. More likely, the crane provider wasn't paid for a few months or had some contract dispute with the developer and moved the crane out. I'm much less worried about this project than I am about Waterview, even with the crane situation.

It looked like they picked up the portable toilets this morning, too ... bad omens all around.

Chicago Shawn · #**8600** Posted **Aug 22, 2008, 6:15 PM**

The Lake/ Wabash tower looks really good. The podium on the wabash side shrank in size, and I really like the circular stair element linking the garage levels on that side. I also love how it will go wall to wall with the MDA City Apartments. The ground floor has retail spaces wraping around the corner and then goes down Benton Place which is pretty awesome. I really like seeing our alleys becoming more pedestrianized, sort of like a medievel european street. Arcade Place, east of LaSalle is a pretty cool example of that.